"All the elders of Israel came to the king [David] to Hebron, and King David made a convenient with them in Hebron… In Hebron, he was king over Judea for seven years and six months…. (Samuel 2, Ch. 5)."

View of the Cave of the Patriarchs and Tel Rumeida neighborhood, where archaeologists have begun digging in hopes of finding remnants of King David's Palace.Photo Credit: Nati Shohat Flash90

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) has started digging for evidence of the Kingdom of David in Hebron, but leftists have charged it is just an excuse for another outpost.

The archaeological site is located in the Jewish neighborhood at Tel Rumeida, although the Haaretz English version headlined it was “Palestinian Hebron,” which is par for the course for the newspaper that is relied on by most foreign journalists for information to belittle Israel as a Jewish country.

Peace Now’s director Yariv Oppenheimer chimed in, “This is settlement expansion under the guise of archaeology. He told Haaretz , “Under US Secretary of State John Kerry’s nose, Defense Minister [Moshe Ya’alon] is enabling the settlers to expand and change the status quo in the most sensitive part of the West Bank.”

The Jewish Press decided not to embarrass Oppenheimer by interviewing him about what would be the significance if archeologists find the remains of the palace of King David during his reign 3,000 years ago.

Tel Rumeida is on one of the higher hills in Hebron, a site where it is logical that a king would build his palace.

The two lots of ground where the dig is taking place are owned by Jews. It is next to a site that already has been dug and has revealed ancient artifacts, including walls from the Biblical period.

Hebron Jewish community spokesman David Wilder told The Jewish Press Thursday that the Jewish community in the city has been trying for years to convince government authorities to provide the money and archaeologists to dig there. He said one wall has been identified as dating back to the time of the forefather Avraham.

Wilder dismissed as nonsense the claim that the site will be for a new outpost but added that plans for building for Jews elsewhere in Hebron are on the table, awaiting the approval of Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon. Don’t hold your breath, at least not until U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry goes back to the U.S. State Dept. to find another area in the world to make worse.

The importance of Hebron for finding the roots of monotheism and Jewish history was expressed years ago by an archaeologist, who also was a key member of Peace Now. Wilder said the archaeologist, whom he did not want to name, told him, “Hebron is the most archeological site in Israel, after Jerusalem – and it all belongs to Arafat.”

Of course, Yasser Arafat is long gone, but the uncovered history of Hebron remains underground.

Wilder admitted that no one ever knows what will be found until after digging is completed, but given the location of Tel Rumeida, it is hoped that remnants of King David’s palace will be found.

If that happens, the whole Muslim lie that the kingdoms never existed crumbles, which might be one reason why Peace Now and Haaretz are so aghast at the new dig.

Many Israeli archaeologists have turned down the opportunity to supervise digging at Tel Rumeida, despite its probable rich historical treasure.

Finally, with financial and political help from Likud Minister of Sport and Culture Limor Livnat and from the Antiquities Authority, Ariel University and IAA archaeologists will take on the task.

The Palestinian Authority’s interest in the dig can been assumed from its destruction of history on the Temple Mount, where Israeli authorities four years have closed their eyes to Muslim authorities hauling away tons of debris that might include evidence of the First and Second Holy Temples.

About the Author:Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu is a graduate in journalism and economics from The George Washington University. He has worked as a cub reporter in rural Virginia and as senior copy editor for major Canadian metropolitan dailies. Tzvi wrote for Arutz Sheva for several years before joining the Jewish Press.

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It’s a charade to build a new illegal settlement in occupied Hebron midst of tens of thousands of Palestinians. Destruction of individual property, done without record for actual archaeological procedure and in search of a fictional character who never existed. Several international laws and laws of war are being broken.

Does the truth hurt so badly? If you are sure King David is a fictional character let the archeologists dig for you are sure they will waist their time. Or do you fear they will prove the existence of King David?
Are you an expert in International Law? What laws are being broken?

Does the truth hurt so badly? If you are sure King David is a fictional character let the archeologists dig for you are sure they will waist their time. Or do you fear they will prove the existence of King David?
Are you an expert in International Law? What laws are being broken?

Raimo, why do you suppose any new settlement built by Israelis, on their own land is illegal? – I look at your blog and think to myself, here is a person who is un-educated, ill-informed and wishes only to believe a body of people who mostly come from Jordan and who cries to the rest of the world that they are hard-done-by – have you seen the metropolis that Gaza is? have you checked out how the Israelis nurture and feed these "palestinians" have given them land which they have turned into a dung-pile and who have destroyed ancient monuments belonging to Jews, whatever you believe on international laws, just open your mind a bit and check out the facts of the area called the middle-east and also just see how many wars are in existence at the moment, most of them are brought about by Islamic extremism, a so-called peace-loving religion.

The story said the property was owned by jews. Butbsurely a famous international lawyer,such as yourself,would know that.King David is fictional?Out of six billion people on earth,you are the one to know the truth.Was a planet ever so blessed?

The story said the property was owned by jews. Butbsurely a famous international lawyer,such as yourself,would know that.King David is fictional?Out of six billion people on earth,you are the one to know the truth.Was a planet ever so blessed?